For Childeren
Every child in California, regardless of family income or citizenship, is eligible for health insurance coverage. SD-KHAN (San Diego Kids Health Assurance Network) is dedicated to ensuring that every child in San Diego County has a medical home. They provide information and assistance on Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, and many other programs that are set up to provide health care coverage to children. Services are free and are available in several languages.
SD-KHAN: 1-800-675-2229 (press #2).

FOR ADULTS (also provide services for children):
San Diego County CMS and California Medi-Cal are the primary means of health care coverage for low income adults. It can be difficult to obtain these benefits, however. The Center for Health Education and Advocacy assists people in determining what types of health benefits they may be able to access. The center has information on all government and military programs, information about low-cost medical insurance programs, and coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. They will empower and advocate for Medi-Cal patients. Services are free and are funded via foundation grants.
Center for Health Education and Advocacy: 619-744-0935 or 1-877-734-3258

For Seniors and Disabled
Medicare provides coverage for the majority of people age 65 and over, and people with certain disabilities. People experiencing problems with their coverage should first try to resolve the issue with their health care provider and/or Medicare. Here are additional sources of help.

CMRI (California Medical Review, Inc.) will assist Medicare beneficiaries who have doubts about the quality of their care, who have had claims denied, or protect hospitalized patients from early discharge. CMRI services are free and are funded through the Medicare program.
CMRI: 1-800-841-1602

The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) will assist seniors in choosing Medicare managed-care plans, supplemental insurance (Medi-gap), and long-term care plans. They help ensure that patients receive the benefits they are entitled to, and will assist with claims. The services are free and are funded through the California Department on Aging.
HICAP San Diego main office: 858-565-8772

Community Clinics (For All)
Community Health Centers in many neighborhoods provide medical care on a sliding scale basis.
Call the Council of Community Clinics at (619) 265-2100 to locate a Community Health Center in San Diego County near you or to ask questions about clinic services.

Medication Assist Programs
All the major pharmaceutical companies sponsor medication assist programs. While most of these programs do not offer long-term benefits, they can help if you have temporary difficulty affording medications. Each program operates independently and has different eligibility guidelines. Most major asthma and COPD medications are included in these programs. Also, remember that medical offices and clinics usually have samples of prescription drugs; do request these if you have a need.

The request for medication assist program applications must be initiated by the doctor's office in many cases; sometimes the patient may request the application. Pharmacists and social workers can also sometimes serve as links to these programs. Several clearinghouses for medication assist programs exist on the Internet, including:

• http://www.needymeds.com - Maintains detailed information on each program and how to apply.
• http://www.themedicineprogram.com/ - For a $5 fee per prescription, this program will assist with the application process.
• http://ashp.org/public/news/ ShowArticle. cfm? id=223 - Asthma and allergy medications, compiled by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and organized alphabetically by drug name.
• http://www.phrma.org/patients/ - The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, to which the major drug companies belong, compiles a directory of programs organized by manufacturer.